Rotatable control



y 1950 D. F. ALEXANDER ET AL 2,506,761

ROTATABLE CONTROL Original Filed July 14, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 y 1950 D. F. ALEXANDER ETAL ROTATABLE CONTROL 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed July 14, 1941 T2123 Danald F. Alexahr Z y Jame F?. Ha

Patented May 9, 1950 B TATABLE CONTROL Donald F. Alexander, Oakwood, and Albert J. Kuhn, Dayton, Ohio, and James R. Hornaday, Los Angeles, Calif., assignors to General Motors Corporation, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Original application July 14, 1941, Serial No. 402,442. Divided and this application July 27, 1944, Serial No. 546,880

Claims. 1

This invention relates to controls for internal combustion engines which may be used in connection with refrigerating apparatus and other apparatus.

This application is a division of our copendlng application Serial No. 402,442 filed July 14, 1941, now Patent No. 2,372,835.

Where internal combustion engines are placed where their operation can neither be seen, heard, or felt, an operator may attempt to start the engine when it is already in operation or the engine may stop or fail to start without the operator being aware of it.

It is an object of our invention to provide a control for internal combustion engines which allows a return to a clearly visible ofi position when the engine stops or fails to start.

It is another object of our invention to provide a starting and run control for internal combustion engines which requires manipulation to move to and to be retained in the starting position but which is automatically returned to the running position when released and which is automatically returned to a clearly visible off position when the engine stops or fails to start.

It is a further object of our invention to provide such a control with means so that it can be manually returned to ofi position when it is desired to stop the engine.

To attain these objects we have provided a control with a latch and a magnetic detent for retaining the latch in the running position as long as the engine is in operation. The handle and switch mechanism is provided with a spring for returning the mechanism to the oil position when it is unlatched. The handle is turned to an extreme position for starting, and when released the handle returns either to run position or to the off position depending on whether the engine has started or failed to start. The handle is directly connected to a switch mechanism which in the extreme position causes the closing or contacts for starting the engine and keeping it in operation while in the run position only the contacts for keeping the engine in operation are closed and the starting contacts are open.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred form cf the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a wiring diagram showing one form 2 of electrical system for carrying out our invention;

Fig. 2 is a top view of the switch operating mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the switch operating mechanism;

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the switch operating mechanism; and

Fig. 5 is a front view of the switch operating mechanism shown in Figs. 2 to 4, with the operating handle removed.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Fig. 1, there is shown diagrammatically as a representative of one form of internal combustion engine, a Diesel engine 20 provided with a fuel throttle 22 having an electromagnet operating control 24 which when energized opens the throttle to allow fuel to flow to the engine. The Diesel engine 20 is also provided with a starting motor 26 and a generator 28. It is shown directly connected by the shaft 30 to some sort of a load, such as an electrical generator or a refrigerator compressor 32.

A battery 34 is connected by the conductors 3B and 38 under the control of the electromagnetically operated starting contacts 40 with the starting motor 25. The battery 34 is kept charged by the generator 28 through the conductors 42 and 44 under the control of a suitable type of charging control 46 and a reverse current relay 48. To start the engine, the control handle llll (see Fig. 4) is turned to the starting position in which the running cam switch 50 as well as the starting cam switch 52 are moved to closed position. This causes current from the battery 34 to flow through the conductor 54 to the switch 50 and through the conductor 56 to the electromagnetic throttle control 24 and through the conductors 58 and BI! to the other side of the battery 34. The energization of the electromagnet operating control 24 not only opens the throttle but it also closes the contacts 23 and 25 to cause current to flow from the conductor 58 to the starting cam switch 52 and through the conductor 62 to the electromagnetic coil 64 to close the contacts of the electromagnetic starting switch 40. This causes the starter motor 26 to turn over the engine 20.

From the coil 64 the current flows through the conductor 68 to an electromagnetic switch means 68 which includes a normally closed switch 10 and a normally open switch 12. Both the switches 10 and 12 are connected to the same side of the battery 34. The electromagnetic operating coil 14 of the switch 68 is connected by the conductors l6 and 18 across the conductors 42 and it so that it will be energized by the generator 28. When the operation of the Diesel engine as approaches a stable running speed suiilcient current will be generated by the generator 28 to cause the coil 14 to open the switch it and close the switch 12. The opening of the switch Ill will deenergize the coil 64 and cause the opening of the contacts -40 to stop the starting motor 26 The closing of the switch 12 will allow current from the battery to flow through the conductor 80 to the operating coil 82 or amagnetic detent 84 shown diagrammatically for the purpose of holding the switch 50 in closed position as long as it is desired to operate the engine 20 A signal light at is connected in parallel with the coil 82 to indicate to the operator that the engine has started and is in operation. The operator then can release the switch and allow it to move to the running position where it will be retained by the magnetic detent 84.

'Referring now more particularly to Figs. .2 to 4 which show the actual switch operating mechanism, there is shown a handle ID-l, shown in the ofi position but which may be moved either to the run or start position in a clockwise direction and an emergency position in a counterclockwise direction. In the emergency position additional contact-s,v not. shown, are energized to cause the operation of certain apparatus when the engine cannot be operated. 'To..-start the engine the handle ill! is moved to the starting position until the light 8.6 is lighted after which it is allowed to return to the run .position where itwill remain unless theenginelil stops or fails to start for some reason, or unless the handle ismoved to the on position tolmanually stop the engine. The handle ill-l. is provided with a pair of holes I03 which engage the pins'l-U5 projecting from a plate .ltfil' which is rotatably mounted upon a shaft Hi9. This shaft H19 projects forwardly from a switch box 1.! l which isrcarried by the frameimember H3. The handle .101 is .rotatably mountedupon a screw.l.-l:5 threaded into the front end of the shaft we. .The shaft I09 operates the switches at and 52 which are, located within the switch box i -along other switches for controlling the other mechanism;

The plate I91 is provided, with an aperture II! which receives a pin 1 l9 projecting from the end of aright angled piece 125! provided with a slot 123 for receiving the shaft Hi9. Plate 121' is pulled upwardly by a spring I25 which extends from ayspring stud 127 on the member 152i to a a .spring'stud l 29 on asem-i-circulargplate 13 l which isv fixed by a setscrew to the shaft I09. .Also the semi-circular member 13! is provided with a slot 1-35 which receives the pin 13-! projecting from the rear faceof the plate Nil-and allowsa limited relative movement between the plate 101 and the semi-circular member 131 .for lowering the ."plate 121 by the downward movement of the pin H9 when the handle Iili is turned counterclockwise. The semi-circular member l3! isrprov'ided with the-shoulders 5539 and 141 located upon opposite sides'of a pair of pins M3 and M5 which project from-"the frame member .1 l3.

A spring ill? has a coiled portion about the shaft N39 with an arm M9 fastened 'to the-stud i151 and with an arm "I53 fastened to a spring stud I55 projecting from the rear 'face of the semi-circular member ISI. This spring M tends to turn the semi-circular member I31 as Well as' the plate members "I07 and i 21 and also its upper end a latch 0r pawl I67 which is pivoted -upon .a pin 169 in the form of a rivet projecting from the right angled plate member Hi. This pawl I6? is normally urged in a clockwise direction with its stop pin I'll against the edge of the 7 plate member l2l by a light coil spring l'l3 which extends from the pin I'll to the spring stud I21. When the handle iti is in the off position this pawl IS? rests against the right side of the pin l 5| as viewed in Fig. 4.

When it is desired to start the Diesel engine the handle it! is turned until the shoulder M l upon the plate member l3l engages the pm 145. The handle lei is held in this position until the light 36 lights up, .atwhich time the solenoid 82 is energized to project the pin E65 of the detent iii intoltheposition where it projects from the stud as far asrthe pins i'59 and lfil project. This places the -.end of the pin ..l6'5-in the path of the pawl :liil sothat when the handle lill is released following the li hting of the light. 86 it, together with the switch mechanism, will beheld in their run position .by theengagementpi the pawl 1.61 with-the detent H55. Should the engine stop for any cause, the solenoid82 will be deenergizediand the return spring N5 of the detent B l will cause the .pin 35. to. be withdrawn to allow the handle and the remainder of the switch mechanism to return automatically .to .the off position. This will .also extinguish light 86.

Should it be desired to stop the engine at any time while the pawl it! is held by the pin 165 it is only necessary to manually turn the handle to the off positionand this will cause the pin .1 19 to pull. down the .plate l2-l :within the limits of the slot 123 thereby retracting thepawl I67 which is inengagement with the pint-65. In this way the handle is turned tothe. off position. .Asimilar manipulation allows the handle to be .turned to theernergency position and :in doing so the pawllSl is again depressed by the pin H9 and itis stopped when itreaches the pin IE9. The stopping at this point is insured by the shoulder i39 which comes into engagement with the pin 143.

Thus the handle will move automatically under the'tension of the springl' l i when it is released from the starting position and will stop against the detent pin $65 in the iron position when the engine is in operation, otherwise it will move to the stop position. Likewise :it can be manually moved from the running position to the stop position and also from the stop position to'the emergency position and returned. In this way we have provided a suitable control for a remotely located internal combustion engine-wherein the operator always has a readily visible means for ascertaining when theengine is in operation and in which the switch automatically turns to oif when the engine stops or fails to start.

While the form of embodiment of the invention as herein described, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted which may come within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. In combination, a rotatable manually operable control member, yielding means for continuously urging said rotatable member in one direction of rotation, a pivoted pawl connected to said control member, means preventing the pivoting of the pawl in one direction, a first stop means located in the path of movement of said pawl for limiting the rotation of said rotatable member in said one direction, a second stop means for limiting the rotation of the rotatable member in the opposite direction, a third stop means movable into and out of a position in the path of movement of said pawl efiective to stop said rotatable member between said first and second stop means.

2. In combination, a rotatable manually operable control member, yielding means for continuously urging said rotatable member in one direction of rotation, a first stop means for limiting the rotation of said rotatable member in said one direction, a second stop means for limiting the rotation of the rotatable member in the opposite direction, a third stop means movable into and out of a position effective to stop said rotatable member between said first and second stop means, and manually controlled retractable disengaging means operated by said rotatable member when it is forcibly moved for overcoming the holding action of said third stop means.

3. In combination, a rotatable manually operable control member, yielding means for continuously urging said rotatable member in one direction of rotation, a pivoted pawl connected to said control member, means preventing the pivoting of the pawl in one direction, a first stop means located in the path of movement of said pawl for limiting the rotation of said rotatable member in said one direction, a second stop means for limiting the rotation of the rotatable member in the opposite direction, a third stop means movable into and out of a position in the path of movement of said pawl effective to stop said rotatable member between said first and 1 second stop means, and electrically operated means for moving said third stop means.

4. In combination, a rotatable manually operable control member, a coiled spring means for continuously urging said rotatable member in one direction of rotation, a pawl pivotally mounted upon said control member, means for preventing the pivoting of said pawl in one direction, a fixed stop pin located in the path of movement of said pawl for limiting the rotation of said rotatable member in said one direction, a second stop means for limiting the rotation of the rotatable member in the opposite direction, and an axially movable stop pin movable into and out of a position in the path of movement of said pawl efiective to stop said rotatable member between the fixed stop pin and the second stop means.

5. In combination, a rotatable manually operable control member, yielding means for continuously urging said rotatable member in one direction of rotation, a yieldable retractable pawl means yieldably retractably mounted upon said control member, a first stop means located in the path of movement of said pawl means for limiting the rotation of said rotatable member in said one direction, a second stop means for limiting the rotation of said rotatable member in the opposite direction, a third stop means movable into and out of a position in the path of movement of said pawl means efiective to stop said rotatable member between said first and second stop means, said pawl means having spring means providing only a light yielding force opposing the passing of one of the stop means in one direction of rotation, said pawl means having retracting means for passing one of the stop means in another direction of rotation.

DONALD F. ALEXANDER. ALBERT J. KUHN. JAMES R. HORNADAY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 925,069 Zimmer June 15, 1909 1,043,178 Waite Nov. 5, 1912 1,614,294 Gans Jan. 11, 1927 1,740,725 Brown Dec. 24, 1929 1,914,506 House June 20, 1933 2,158,263 Wenn May 16, 1939 2,228,570 Johnson Jan. 14, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 6,221 Great Britain Mar. 17, 1900 of A. D. 1899 

